Posts by Clare Coventry
At Risk for Vision Problems
Recent surveys show that many New Zealanders, from infants to seniors, have uncorrected vision problems. Some of these, such as amblyopia or glaucoma, have no warning signs and can cause permanent vision loss if left untreated. This is why regular eye examinations are the best way to ensure healthy vision for you and your family.…
Read MoreHow Often Should I…?
One of the most common questions we hear is “how often should I have…” Individual situations vary and you should always follow the advice your optometrist has given after they have examined your eyes. Changes in vision and eye health are often quite slow and subtle, and can easily go unnoticed if not checked regularly. However,…
Read MoreDigital Retinal Imaging
Digital photography is now an advanced technology and we are fortunate to have a digital retinal camera in our practice. This means that a photograph can be taken of your retina (often without using dilating drops) which is then stored on the computer. This image provides useful information about the health of the blood vessels…
Read MorePolarised Prescriptions
Polarised sunglasses have always been an advantage in our local area, but now they are available in a wide range to suit most prescriptions in lens designs. The polarised lenses that we recommend work in three different ways: They eliminate reflected glare for greater visual comfort They protect the eyes from UV damage such as…
Read MoreWhy Wear Sunglasses?
Sunglasses are essential in preventing damage to the eyes by the sun’s ultra-violet radiation. Damage could include inflammation of the cornea, cancer, cataracts, and ptergium (a fleshy growth on the front surface of the eye). Children and young adults especially are at risk and parents should make sure that their children wear sunglasses, particularly when…
Read MoreRetinal Images and Dementia
Recent television news stories have reported the use of digital retinal images to detect the early signs of some forms of dementia. Of course, early diagnosis also leads to earlier treatment. In a study of 5,553 patients aged over 55 years in the Netherlands, digital retinal images were obtained and then study participants were monitored…
Read MoreComputers and Your Eyes
Computers are ‘normal’ in most workplaces and they are certainly common in many homes. They have become part of everday life for most of us. But did you know that more than 50% of computer operators experience eyestrain, headaches, and blurred vision? These problems occur along with other visual symptoms related to the increase of…
Read MoreAnother Reason to Eat Well
There’s now another good reason to eat your vegetables! A recent US study has found that those who eat foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin will have healthier eyes. These are nutrients that are especially found in leafy dark green vegetables. People who eat these types of vegetables are 35% less likely to develop the…
Read MoreGlare and Polarisation
Are you blinded by the light? In everyday life we are confronted with bright light and glare, whether driving to or from work, playing sport, going for a walk, or relaxing at the beach. Bright light, and particularly glare, are apparent in varying weather conditions and virtually all outdoor activities. In addition, UVA and UVB…
Read MoreADONZ Conference
The beginning of November saw our Dispensing Opticians, Vanessa Cumming and Roslyn Iongi, make their way up to Napier for the ADONZ (Association of Dispensing Opticians) Conference. During their whirlwind visit, they were excited to learn a lot more in the fields of Blind Culture in New Zealand, Myopia Control, Optometry’s role in Concussion, and Dry Eye…
Read MoreChildren’s Goggles
Summer brings sunshine, outside play, water play, beach days, cannonballing into the pool and yes, children doing their best to splash poor mum and dad. But for those children who wear prescription glasses, water play isn’t as enjoyable as it could be because they struggle to see clearly through their standard goggles. Well, we don’t…
Read MoreCommunity Contact with Radius Elloughton Gardens
Here at Canon Street Optometrists, we’re always looking for ways to improve people’s vision, and ultimately their quality of life. One of our initiatives was for one of our optometrists, Martina Fellmann, and our Practice Principal, Vanessa Cumming, to visit Radius Elloughton Gardens to discuss overall eye health, but in particular some common eye conditions…
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